Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-02-11
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
The Central Traffic Association Decides to
Venture an Existence Under It.

The Central Traffic Association Decides to
Venture an Existence Under It
CLHvKLANp, o., Feb. S.-The executive
committee of the Central Traffic associa-
tion met to-day at the Office of President
Newell. of the Lake Shore, and adopted
a very important series of resolutions.
The meeting had been called for the pur-
pose OF deciding the fate of the orgsni-
ration, whether under the Interstate com
merce act 1t could maintain an existence,
and what Its relations to this recent ma
uonsl legislation were. Commissioners
Blanchard delivered an address to the
COMMITTEES, outlining what he thought
should be the policy of the association
In respect to the Interstate commerce
act.
Other addresses followed from various
members and resolutions embodyinc the
sentiment and opinion expressed were
unanimously adopted. These resolutions
are IN effect that the committee recon-
mands that the Central traffic association
be continued with the understanding that
its methods, statistics statements, etc,
be revised so AS to conform to such rail
way action under the Interstate law as
shall be finally decided upon. and
that the law should be accepted
and interpreted with Just regard to the
great mutual commercial railway and
public interests involved generally. in
conformity with the definitions of law
and explained by Senator Cullom in the
senate debate; and the association will
cooperate with the commissioners under
the Interstate commerce law in securing,
as far as possible, the benefits of that
bill and in the faithful observance of
all its provisions. That the commit
tee meet with the trunk line ex-
ecutive committee on the call
of the latter, that the Joint executive
committee SO constituted for that pur-
pose proceed to such further agreement
and recommendations of detail as may
be required by the Interpretation of it
agreed upon by such executive commit
tee and then submit the same to a meet
ing of the association for its final action.
1t will be noticed that the steps which
the association will assume are not in.
dicatedi but that it is left
for future meeting of the association
to determine. reporter asked Commits
missioner blanchard, after the meeting
had adjourned, whether, in his opinion,
an efficient association could be main
tanned in the face of the structures as to
PpuiltiS Whlcn the inter state commerce
act presented, There is no doubt of it,
replied Blanchard. "There is very
erroneous impression with great many
people that the object of the Central
Traffic association is to pool the business
of Its members. The real purpose
of the association is to maintain rates.
and the pooling of business is only one
of the means adopted to obtain this OBJ
ject." And can rates be maintained
without some means of apportioning the
business from the common points
among competitive linesy" Undoubtedly
some members believe that under the
inter state commerce act means can be
devised whereby business may be appor-
toned without violating the clause pro
hibiting pooling, but the general feeling
is not to attempt anything of this kind
just now, but TO allow each line 60 keep
all the business il gets.
Would not that encourage the cutting
OF rates?"
mo; for the reason that it must be
done openly and for everybody. The
cutting of rates in the past
has been most disastrous, because
it was done secretly and in the favor of
large shippers. A road would make re-
duction quietly and scoop all business.
Other lines would not know of it until il
was too late, but now they will know it at
once and can meet it promptly, SO that
there will be ne advantage to be obtained
by reduction.